Sword-wielding man engages police in stand-off

A man wielding a sword engaged in a nearly half-hour standoff with police early Monday in Norwood, officials said.

The standoff ended when the man, 45-year-old James Anthony Hall, surrendered voluntarily, according to a news release from Norwood police. Hall is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Hamilton County Municipal Court on charges including disorderly conduct while intoxicated and aggravated menacing.

Officers were dispatched to Hall's home in the 4600 block of McNeil Street at about 4:40 a.m. A 911 caller reported hearing loud music and a man screaming that he "was going to set the building on fire," police said.

Hall "pointed the sword at officers and rapidly approached the front door," police said. He also had a butcher's knife and a hammer tucked into his belt.

Police said Hall refused to drop the sword, and a standoff ensued that lasted about 25 minutes. Officers evacuated residents from an upstairs apartment as well as two females who were in the apartment with Hall. Their ages were not provided.

Throughout the incident, police said, Hall was on the front porch, yelling at officers and waving the sword. Police said Hall appeared to be drunk.

He surrendered, police said, soon after a regional SWAT team was called.